With its successor to the Concept One, Croatian manufacturer Rimac is boldly going where no EV maker has gone before… Text and photography by Antony Ingram.
1 MOTORS & TRANSMISSION
Rimac’s Concept One already developed comfortably more than 1000bhp, but the C Two almost doubles that, putting out 1888bhp courtesy of a motor at each corner. Even more remarkable is the torque: a combined 1696lb ft (a Bugatti Chiron develops 1180lb ft/DIN, while even the Koenigsegg Regera tops out at 1475lb ft/DIN).
These outputs are harnessed by the ability to employ full torque vectoring. Each front wheel has a single-speed transmission, and there’s a pair of two -speed, carbon-clutched gearboxes at the back.
Enormous 390mm Brembo CCMR carbon-ceramic rotors fill each wheel rim and are gripped by six-piston calipers.
2 BATTERIES, RANGE & PERFORMANCE
Rimac’s batteries are developed in-house, and those in the C Two hold 120kWh of energy – more than any other current production EV. That allows the company to justify its claim that the C Two isn’t just a hyper-car, but a grand tourer, with the potential for over 400 miles from a full charge and the ability to recharge by 80 per cent in 30 minutes through a 250kW charger.
Rimac quotes its acceleration figures with a US-style one-foot rollout, which can trim a tenth or three from the times, but even accounting for this the numbers are eye-widening: 0-62mph in 1.85sec, 100mph in 4. 3sec, the quarter-mile in 9.1sec, and 186mph (300kph) in 11.8sec.
3 CHASSIS & BODY
The C Two is a completely new design, by in-house designer Adriano Mudri, with a carbonfibre monocoque to which a carbon roof is bonded, and the batter y pack integrated into the structure. The rear subframe is also carbon, a s is the body work, while the crash structures are a combination of carbonfibre and aluminium. The safety features aren’t mere lip service – Rimac is homologating the car for worldwide sale. Suspension is by double wishbones and electronically controlled dampers at all four corners, with an active ride-height system. The forged wheels are aerodynamically optimised – they feed air to the brakes, but also help reduce turbulence down the car’s flanks. The rear wing can act as an air brake.
4 INTERIOR & TECH
Entry is through a pair of butter fly doors, which cut into the roof to improve access. You won’t need to blip a key to open them, either, a s facial recognition technology unlocks the car a s you approach. Or not, if it detects you’re Richard Hammond. The system also allows you to start the car without a key, and even monitors your mood – it can play soothing music or soften the ride if you’re in a bad state of mind. The cabin design is crisp and modern, while three configurable high-resolution TFT screens
“Facial recognition technology unlocks the car as you approach. Or not, if it detects you’re Richard Hammond”
DRIVE-MY COMMENT
It’s difficult to know which aspect of Rimac’s C Two is most impressive. The performance is undoubtedly remarkable, but so are the efforts of such a small company to ensure the car can be sold globally, which include meeting rigorous regulations and crash-test requirements for markets such a s the United States.
You could even make a case for the autonomy and infotainment systems – all developed in-house of course, because Rimac isn’t just a car company but also a technology firm, creating and supplying solutions to global OEMs. The C Two is a s much a shop window for Rimac’s abilities a s it is a car that, a s founder Mate Rimac puts it, is aimed somewhere between the LaFerrari and Bugatti Chiron. We can’t wait to drive it.
TECHNICAL DATA FILE SPECIFICATIONS 2019 Rimac C Two
Engine Four electric motors
Map power 1888bhp at 4400rpm / DIN
Max torque 1696lb ft at 1-4400rpm / DIN
Weight 1950kg
Power-to-weight 984bhp/ton
0-62mph 1.85sec (plus rollout)
Top speed 258mph (claimed)
Basic price in USA/UK TBC
On sale USA/UK TBC
